Unfortunately I got the news today that the big concert in Estepona, Spain, that Phil Pickett wanted to organise on 23 August 2008, had to be cancelled.
The concert was supposed to be the realisation of Phil's "long-cherished dream of presenting an evening of unforgettable musical magic in memory of his mother Eileen who died in Estepona 15 years ago this year."
Bands at "El Concierto Del Verano" were planned to be: SAILOR, The Sweet, Kid Creole And The Coconuts, The Three Degrees, accompanied by an orchestra from Cadiz.
Phil is very sad about this but hopes he can realise the plans another time soon.

If you're interested, you can still find more information about the idea for the concert at the MySpace page about the concert.
(And maybe you can search and find the SAILOR-related error on this website if you're on it anyway...  Just kidding!   )

It's 11 years ago that SAILOR played in Oestrich-Winkel, Germany, today. 
Two days earlier Karsten and I had met the boys at a TV show recording in Münster. There we asked their driver and agent Thomas for details about this concert. He then only knew that the concert would be an anniversary of a sports club in a small town somewhere near Wiesbaden, and that the name of the town was a double-name. That meant detective work for Karsten on the next day, while I had to go to school. On the Saturday we were off to this small town called Oestrich-Winkel then.
There, a lot of strange and funny things happened. SAILOR first introduced soft toy orang-utan "Prescott" - their new mascott. We had to help build the Nickelodeon, then protect the other belongings of the band next to the stage afterwards because they went to catch up on some sleep. And finally, to my surprise, I discovered a man next to the stage who looked like Heinz Günter Heygen, the man who had hosted the legendary 1993 SAILOR Special on German HR3 television. We had met him at the recording of another TV show in our hometown a few weeks ealier. I told Karsten to turn around and have a look, but he refused and told me not to make fun of him – thinking Heinz Günter Heygen would never make his way to this strange little sports club. But in the next moment we both realised that it was really him, as he saw us and welcomed us very friendly. Heinz was almost as surprised as we were...
The show itself was very funny, and we were joined by old fellow SAILOR fans in the front row: Marina, Sabine and Cilia.
We don't have a special photo page about this show, but a few little pics:

Today it's time for the TV show "Die Ultimative Chart Show" again over here in Germany. This time the episode is called "Die erfolgreichsten Rock Classics aller Zeiten". Not with SAILOR, of course... But at least... with The Sweet featuring "our" Peter Lincoln again.
The show is about to start in a few minutes. So I must get the video recorder ready!

PS: Here it is:

By the way: Don't miss the May Video of the month - two songs of SAILOR at a huge open air concert in Bad Segeberg, Germany, on 18 May 1991 - "A Glass Of Champagne" and "The Secretary".
Not only did Georg, Henry, Phil and Grant celebrate their comeback at this show which is 16 years ago this month... But SAILOR will also play at this very venue in Bad Segeberg again on 17 May 2008. It will be the 4th time that SAILOR play in Bad Segeberg since their comeback concert: 1991, 1994, 2003 and 2008!

No other news. But I'm still waiting to hear this song that Phil Pickett made me be on/in without an advance warning! Hey Phil - I'd really like to know what you use my voice for. Hallo?!

It's 11 years ago that SAILOR - then in the line-up with Peter, Henry, Phil and Grant - performed at the German TV show "Musik Liegt In Der Luft" today. The recording took place in Münster, Germany.
In the meantime we have got the video of this show online. So if you'd like to have a look at the video from this show again, go to the "Concert Photos" section or just click here: TV: "Musik Liegt In Der Luft" - Germany - 01 May 1997 

It's also 10 years ago that SAILOR - then also in the line-up with Peter, Henry, Phil and Grant - played in Gera, Germany, today. The concert was part of a German mini-tour with Christie, Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich, John-Paul Young, Chip Hawkes (not at all shows) and some others. The promoter of this tour had always booked two shows in two different towns on one evening, so that the bands had to rush from one show to another which was sometimes great "fun" for them all.
So, actually it's a double anniversary today, as SAILOR first played a concert in Dresden, Germany and then quickly made it to this concert in Gera.
If you'd like to have a look at the photos from this day again, go to the "Concert Photos" section or just click here: Gera, Germany - 01 May 1998

It's 8 years ago that SAILOR - then in the line-up with Peter, Phil, Grant and Anthony - played in Erfurt, Germany, today.
If you'd like to have a look at the photos and a video from this day again, go to the "Concert Photos" section or just click here: Erfurt, Germany - 30 April 2000

It's also 5 years ago that SAILOR - then in the line-up with Peter, Rob, Phil and Grant - played in Hamburg, Germany, today.
If you'd like to have a look at the photos from this day again, go to the "Concert Photos" section or just click here: Hamburg, Germany - 30 April 2003

And it's also 2 years ago that SAILOR - then in the line-up with Peter, Henry, Phil and Grant - played a special little headline concert in Volendam, Holland, today.
If you'd like to have a look at the photos from this day again, go to the "Concert Photos" section or just click here: Volendam, Holland - 30 April 2006

It's 1 year ago that SAILOR - in the present band line-up with Oliver, Phil, Henry and Grant - played in Nürnberg (Germany) today.
Great concert, not much time to talk to the SAILORs but still fun... and Christel and I were happy to see the other bands at the show too, especially The Fortunes!
If you'd like to have a look at the photos and a video from this day again, go to the "Concert Photos" section or just click here: Nürnberg, Germany - 21 April 2007

I have started a playlist which inlcudes all SAILOR videos that are available on YouTube. Well, almost all, but it's still under construction. So if you want to see a lot more stuff than what's already linked to my homepage, have a look at

SAILOR video playlist 1974 - today

And there's also a playlist of SAILOR-related videos (DATA, Noir, The Sweet with Peter Lincoln, Culture Dub etc...)

Got home from work today, very tired, sat down, had something to eat, turned the TV on and then... my mobile phone rang. I was surprised to find Phil Pickett on the other hand, telling me that he was busy working on an 80s song in Kraftwerk-style (for his "Culture Dub" project, I can only guess) and needed a female voice for it saying "Hallo" in German and one or two other sentences in English and German too. 
I thought I had sounded horrible, but apparently Phil and his people were happy. And he was gone again before I could even ask...
So now, without even realising what was going on, I seem to be on this song...
  
Er... weird!
This is definitely no normal Monday evening.
Expect the unexpected...!!

It's 1 year ago that SAILOR - in the present band line-up with Oliver, Phil, Henry and Grant - played in Straubing (Germany) today.
It was the first time I travelled to a concert completely on my own because neither Karsten nor any of our friends could make it. So I spent a lovely afternoon in Straubing with the SAILORs who kindly invited me for lunch on a hot sunny day in this lovely little town in Bavaria. Later I met new friends Susi and Hilde so I wasn't as alone any more at the venue and during the concert. Lots of fun!
If you'd like to have a look at the photos from this day again, go to the "Concert Photos" section or just click here: Straubing, Germany - 13 April 2007

Apparently I don't even have to promote my latest Video of the month as much, as it seems to promote itself...
For April 2008 we have two videos from a 1976 TV special - "My Kind Of Girl" (only with GK) and "Blue Desert" with Georg, Henry, Phil and Grant.
Thanks for all the lovely comments!!

But here's something I thought we all wouldn't find on YouTube. I meant to upload it myself for a while, but I was asked rather not to. But hey... it wasn't me...
So here's a rare DATA video featuring GK:
Video of DATA with "Fallout" at the German TV show "Musicbox" in 1981

I'm still recovering from the TV show yesterday... but to keep you all informed:

On 28 March 2008 SAILOR appeared on the famous German TV show "Die Ultimative Chart Show - Die erfolgreichsten Oldies aller Zeiten" on RTL television. SAILOR performed a medley of "Girls Girls Girls" and "A Glass Of Champagne", and afterwards Phil and Oliver were interviewed.
The show included a countdown of the 25 most famous "Oldie" songs, and SAILOR reached place 15 with "Girls Girls Girls".
Also on the show: The Sweet featuring "our" Peter Lincoln.

But anyway, who are these silly people here??

Enough about us, though. Even though I'd like to add that it was also great to see and meet the Rubettes again!!

You can watch the video of SAILOR playing a medley of "Girls Girls Girls" and "A Glass Of Champagne" at the show plus an interview with Phil and Oliver, as well as the video of The Sweet right here: TV: "Die Ultimative Chart Show" - Germany - 28 March 2008

Enjoy! (And please let us know what you think!)

On 28 March 2008 SAILOR will be at the German TV show "Die Ultimative Chartshow - Die erfolgreichsten Oldies aller Zeiten" on RTL television. The show will be repeated again on the next day.
Also on the show: The Sweet featuring "our" Peter Lincoln.

SAILOR have been on this show before, in September 2004, where they reached place number 45 in a countdown of the 50 most famous pop bands of the last 40 years (according to the chart positions of all their singles), surrounded by Genesis on 46 and Culture Club on 44.

Big famous show over here. Don't miss it!!!

Here's the video of SAILOR's last appearance at the "Ultimative Chartshow" in 2004: TV: "Die Ultimative Chart Show" - Germany - 03 September 2004

It's 6 years ago that SAILOR - then in the line-up with Peter, Phil, Rob and Grant - played in Zwickau (Germany) today.
A journey that started in the sunshine and surprisingly ended in a huge snowstorm in East Germany for Karsten, Christel and me. And a wonderful concert at a lovely little ballroom - with unusually much time for SAILOR so that we got songs like "Blame It On The Soft Spot" and "Panama" back at last after a long time!
If you'd like to have a look at the photos from this day again, go to the "Concert Photos" section or just click here: Zwickau, Germany - 23 March 2002 

It's 3 years ago that SAILOR played in Bournemouth (UK) today. This concert was part of the UK tour of SAILOR together with The Rubettes (featuring Alan Williams) and Andy Scott's The Sweet.
I combine the journey to the concert with a visit in Southampton and stayed there with my SAILOR friend Linda. (Who thought one could get s sunburn in England in March?!). Together we enjoyed a short but marvellous concert!
Before the concert SAILOR Rob took a bit of extra time for me and we wentto town and to Bournemouth beach for a walk. After the show Linda, James McC and I joined Grant and Michelle and some of their friends for a drink. A lovely day!
If you'd like to have a look at the photos from this day again, go to the "Concert Photos" section or just click here: Bournemouth, UK - 17 March 2005 

On the guest list on Wednesday in Bochum... a wonderful couple of hours yesterday... plus two great concerts in one week?? Sweet Pete you are marvellous!!
We couldn't be more thankful. Honestly. It's good to see how easy and straightforward things can be.  
So, Mr. Lincoln if you read this: THANKS so much. Glad you liked your birthday presents and survived my huge cake!
Your stage outfit looked strangely familiar though!
(Also happy that you and Andy enjoyed our maraca performance!)

Here's a little video impression... Peter's "Happy Birthday" choir and a bit pf "Restless" (note the marvellous bass!)

Maybe we'll also have a video of how Christel's birthday presents were received soon?!... Ha ha...

And in just a little while, Karsten and I will be off to the second concert of "Sweet Pete" this week - this time in Bad Endbach, South of Kassel and about two hours away. We'll be joined by our friend Christel and also by Peter B. who accompanied us to a recent SAILOR/Sweet concert in Erfurt.
So... let's get ready, pack the birthday presents and enjoy some more "Action"...

Too... tired... to... write... blog entry...
But this must be said: Thanks for putting us on the guestlist and saving us a lot of money!! Sweet Pete you are marvellous!
And apart from that I'll let the photos speak:

ROCKSTAR:

Here's some more marvellous stuff: Karsten's photos of the SWEET gig in Bochum 12.03.2008

And My page about the SWEET gig in Bochum 12.03.2008

Today I'll leave work early, meet Karsten for lunch and then we are off to Bochum (West Germany) to see Ex-SAILOR Peter Lincoln - also known as "Sweet Pete"  - doing his new job with Andy Scott's The Sweet. They are on their European "Sweet Fanny Adams" tour at the moment.
Really looking forward to seeing the other SAILOR fans who will join us tonight, Christel and Ursula. And maybe also Heiner and Andreas?? That would be marvellous...
And really looking forward to seeing Peter again, too!
We'll hopefully bring some photos and videos........
So then...

It's 2 years ago that SAILOR - then in the line-up with Peter, Henry, Phil and Grant - played in Unterschleissheim (Germany) today.
If you'd like to have a look at the the photos and a video from this day again, go to the "Concert Photos" section or just click here: Unterschleissheim, Germany - 11 March 2006

A few days ago I found the following information on the homepage of "Angel Air" records (who released the SAILOR DVD as well as the latest version of SAILOR's anthology CD boxed set: "Treasure Trove"):
"2008 Release Schedule
SJPCD267 Sailor Best Of/In Concert 2 Disc set - July (1CD/1DVD)"
What's this then?
Something new and great, you'd expect as a fan. But to calm the big excitement down... This is what I was told by Angel Air:
"Track listing of audio will be tracks of original band drawn from SJPCD249 release 'Treasure Trove' and on disc 2 this will be a NTSC version DVD of original 2003 DVD release (previously only on PAL). Track listing though still not finalized of audio."
Wonderful... Yet another CD including some songs from "Treaure Trove" (previously known as "Buried Treasure") to add to the confusion of all these wannabe "best of" and "greatest hits" compilations which never ever include all famous SAILOR songs.

What the world REALLY needs, though, is the re-release of the original SAILOR albums on CD.
I get a huge amount of requests all the time from people who are looking for "Trouble" or "The Third Step" or "Street Lamp" etc. etc.
But in the meantime NONE of the original SAILOR albums from the 70s and 90s are available anywhere at the moment. Most of their 1970s albums - "Sailor" (1974", "Trouble" (1975), "The Third Steo" (1976) and "Hideaway" (1978.) - were released on CD by Sony Music in the early 90s, but they stopped offering them a while ago and now all originals are out of print. Plus the two comeback albums "Sailor" from 1991 and "Street Lamp" from 1992 are out of print as well.
Other albums and songs seem completely lost. What happened to the whole of the "Chekpoint" LP (1977) and "Dressed For Drowning" (1980)? What happened to some singles and B-sides? ("The Runaway", "All I Need Is A Girl" or "Copacabana" for example.)
We're in 2008 and this seems to be the only band in the world where all original songs and albums are unavailable, partly lost in the record companies' archives.
This just can't be true!  

And then... To add to the confusion (as mentioned above) again... I found this on Ebay just a few minutes ago.
What on earth is this? Why does it show a picture of the 2001 - 2005 band line-up? And which versions does it include? Originals, re-recordings, live versions? Does anybody on the planet know about this release at all?
I bought it so I can find out.
Oh, and if the person who compiled this CD should happen to read this: No, these are not "all the hits"!

During the last days I saw the video of "Jumping All Over The World" - based on "A Glass Of Champagne" - by famous German Techo-groud Scooter on TV quite often. Several music TV stations play it quite regularly, and they even performed the song on a big TV show on Saturday.
Very strange to hear "A Glass Of Champagne" like this...

Video: SCOOTER "Jumping All Over The World" on YouTube

I had asked for opinions about this cover version at the Forum, but not many people seem to want to share what they think...